Should I Earn A Vocational Degree
Whether or not earning a vocational degree is right for you depends on your values and goals. As stated earlier, there is no standard experience during a vocational school program.
What we can say is that earning a vocational degree could lead to higher paying jobs like elevator technician and electrician, which earn $97,860 and $60,040 respectively. You may also pursue popular options like auto technician or dental assistant programs.
A vocational degree provides practical training for a cheaper cost, but also fewer options or career advancement. Only you can decide if online trade classes are right for you.
Welcome To Brighton College
Brighton College offers you an opportunity to develop marketable skills, experience personal growth, and establish a foundation for further education and employment success. Our training programs are designed based on industry demand and provide practical, real-world skills for todays workplace. Start your pathway to success by selecting one of our career-focused diplomas or certificates.
We offer career training and vocational programs in Construction, Architecture, Accounting, Business, AutoCAD, Engineering, and Hospitality.
At Brighton College, your education will go far beyond the walls of the classroom. We believe in learning by doing. Our instructors bring real industry experience to the class and engage students with hands-on learning activities and projects. Many programs at Brighton College offer practicum/co-op opportunities after you successfully finish the academic portion of the program.
After graduation and up to one year afterwards, we provide ongoing career assistance to alumni through our Career Services department.
Better Training. Brighter Future. Brighton College.
Western And Northern Europe
The Finnish system is divided between vocational and academic paths. Currently about 47 percent of Finnish students at age 16 go to vocational school. The vocational school is a secondary school for ages 16â21, and prepares the students for entering the workforce. The curriculum includes little academic general education, while the practical skills of each trade are stressed. The education is divided into eight main categories with a total of about 50 trades. The basic categories of education are
- Humanist and educational branch
- Cultural branch
- The branch of social sciences, business and merchandise )
- Natural science )
- Technology and traffic
- The branch of natural resources and environment
- The branch of social work, health care and physical exercise )
- The branch of travel, catering and domestic economics
The vocational schools are usually owned by the municipalities, but in special cases, private or state vocational schools exist. The state grants aid to all vocational schools on the same basis, regardless of the owner. On the other hand, the vocational schools are not allowed to operate for profit. The Ministry of Education issues licences to provide vocational education. In the licence, the municipality or a private entity is given permission to train a yearly quota of students for specific trades. The licence also specifies the area where the school must be located and the languages used in the education.
Ambachtschool
Japan
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Can You Complete Vocational Training Online
Yes! Online vocational training is available in a wide variety of specializations. Here are just a few examples:
- Advanced Medical Coding
- Veterinary Assisting
- Wedding Planner
Vocational training online is an excellent option for those who have other commitments, such as a job or family, that they need to maintain while earning a degree or certification. While the majority of the training can be completed online, some online vocational training programs include additional hands-on courses at a campus or workplace in the students area.
The Pros And Cons Of Trade School

Writer
- Trade school can offer students a fast, affordable path to well-paying careers.
- Cons of trade school can include limited career growth, financial aid, and flexibility.
- Prospective students should weigh the pros and cons of trade school.
Students who do not want to attend a traditional four-year college can attend trade school. Vocational school is often a faster, more affordable way to prepare for a well-paying career. Trade school programs allow learners to focus completely on their chosen field and develop career-relevant knowledge and skills.
Trade school jobs include occupations in many fields and industries. Some of the best-paying trade school positions include radiation therapist, elevator installer and repairer, web developer, and dental hygienist. Students who want to pursue non-trade careers may find that vocational school is not the right fit for them.
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What Is Vocational Education
The 1990 Perkins Act defines vocational education as “organizededucational programs offering a sequence of courses which are directly relatedto the preparation of individuals in paid or unpaid employment in current oremerging occupations requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.” While vocational education is provided at both thesecondary and postsecondary levels, its focus differs somewhat at each level. Secondary Vocational Education The objectives of vocational education are more varied at the secondarythan at the postsecondary level. Secondary vocational courses can be classifiedinto three types: consumer and homemaking education general labormarket preparation and specific labor market preparation . Specific labor market preparation courses teachstudents the skills needed to enter a particular occupational field. Suchcourses can be grouped into the following occupational program areas:
To What Extent Do Students With Different Demographic Characteristicsparticipate In Vocational Education
Sex and race-ethnicity were related to differences in participation invocational education at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.Secondary Level High school vocational course-taking patterns differed for males andfemales. Male graduates in 1992 earned about one-third more occupationallyspecific credits, while female graduates earned almost twice as many consumerand homemaking education credits . Furthermore, the percentages ofmales and females completing at least one occupational course differedsignificantly in all program areas except marketing . In particular,males in 1992 were more than twice as likely to complete at least one course inagriculture and in trade and industry, while females were more than twice aslikely to complete at least one course in health and in occupational homeeconomics .
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How Long Are The Programs
It depends on what you’re after. But keep this in mind: Most of the programs aren’t any longer than they need to be. In fact, many of them can be completed in less than one year. And many others require only about 18 to 24 months. Of course, the more advanced the course of study, the longer you are likely to be in school.
As a general guideline, you can expect:
- A certificate or diploma to take a year or less to earn
- An associate degree to require up to two years
- A bachelor’s degree to take about four years
- A master’s degree to require about one or two additional years
How Long Is Vocational School
Most vocational schools offer a diverse list of programs that vary in length from a few months to up to 2 years. How long you attend will depend on the field, the program and school, and what level of training you choose to pursue.
Here are a few examples:
Vocational Program | |
Occupational Therapy Aide | 1 month |
Some programs will award certificates or diplomas, while others are designed to prepare students for career-specific licensing exams.
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Can I Get Assistance With Paying My Tuition
Yes, you might be able to, depending on your qualifications. Most schools can assist you with the process of finding out whether you qualify for any student loans, grants, or scholarships. In fact, they often have special departments that are dedicated to helping you discover ways to afford your education.
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Choose Your Program Of Study
You can choose from among some 150 vocational training programs of study and 50 short courses offered in 21 sectors.
- The Diploma of Vocational Studies: The Diploma of Vocational Studies is issued by the Ministère de lÉducation. The DVS certifies that a student has successfully completed a secondary-level vocational program for a trade or occupation. A student who has successfully completed a DVS program can also choose to pursue their studies in a training program leading to an Attestation of Vocational Specialization or in a college.
- The Attestation of Vocational Specialization: The Attestation of Vocational Specialization is a diploma issued by the Ministère de lÉducation after successful completion of a training program aimed at improving skills or specialization in a given trade. To be eligible for this training, one must have a Diploma of Vocational Studies or be working in a trade in connection with the program of study. The length of an AVS varies between 3 to 9 months . An AVS leads to a specialization in a particular field of a trade or occupation and, where applicable, enables a student to pursue studies.
- The Skills Training Certificate: The Skills Training Certificate is a short-term qualifying training that is developed, offered, and sanctioned by a school service centre or a school board. Its length generally varies from 240 to 720 hours. This type of program of study leads to an occupation and is intended primarily for adults.
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Technical And Vocational Education And Training
In Ghana, TVET takes place under no less than nine different ministries as well as in the private sector. TVET is delivered in schools, in institution-based, vocational-skill centers, institutes, and colleges and in the informal economy in traditional apprenticeship.
Most formal public TVET is delivered by the MoESS and the Ministry of Manpower, Youth, and Employment . Formal TVET in Ghana occurs at three levels. Polytechnics, the highest-level training institutions beneath universities, are located in regional capitals and are followed by the technical training institutes , both under the MoESS. Public sector vocational training institutes under the MoMYE number about 111 , integrated community centers for employable skills ICCES , and other VTIs ). Other ministries have vocationally related institutes, for example: the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Forestry has 15 regional technology transfer units and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has about 22 VTIs .
Much of Ghana’s public formal TVET system is characterized by low-quality, obsolete equipment, outdated curricula, and a lack of relationship with industry and employment. Moreover, most public and private VTIs are largely out of reach of the poorest individuals. The formal TVET sector in Ghana, as in other developing countries, is largely orientated toward formal rather than informal employment.
C. Rukspollmuang, in, 2010
Information On Academic And Career Guidance Services

The professional staff of the services daccueil, de référence, de conseil et daccompagnement can help you choose the training you want and accompany you in carrying out your training or career project. They can also help you reintegrate into the job market.
These services are provided free of charge to people aged 16 and over by vocational training centres and adult education centres.
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Top 500 Ranked Vocational Technical And Career Colleges
How do we rank these schools? Learn more about our college ranking system. Note that some schools do not have enough data to be ranked, and these schools will not appear in our lists. To find information about a school not listed below, try our site search at the bottom of this page.
To What Extent Do Students Who Are Disadvantaged Or Have Disabilitiesparticipate In Vocational Education
Secondary Level Public high school graduates in 1992 who were members of specialpopulations were generally more likely than other graduates to participate invocational education overall and in occupationally specific education. Graduatesin lower socioeconomic quartiles students with disabilities, lower grade pointaverages, and greater numbers of accumulated remedial credits and both studentparents and expecting students were more likely to participate than otherstudents. These special populations were morelikely to complete at least one course in vocational education overall and inoccupationally specific education . In addition, they generally earnedgreater numbers of vocational and occupationally specific credits than theircounterparts who were not members of special populations . However, English proficiency was not related tovocational participation. Limited-English proficient graduates participated atroughly equal rates as English proficient graduates in vocational education andoccupationally specific education and earned roughly similar numbers of creditsin these curricula.
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Top 4 Benefits That Colleges In Canada Can Offer You
Colleges in Canada enable students to grow their skills and become highly employable members of their communities. In fact, statistics show that graduating from one of this country’s colleges can boost your job prospects even when the economy is slow. For instance, between 2008 and 2016, 1,416,600 new jobs were created for those who completed vocational college or trades training.*
Plus, did you know that seven out of every 10 jobs in Canada now requires at least some form of post-secondary or technical education?** That’s why a direct link exists between the types of programs you’ll find at Canadian colleges and the employment opportunities currently being created throughout the nation.
As you ponder those compelling facts, here are four additional things you can benefit from by attending a college in Canada:
Give Yourself A Competitive Edge
The current Medical, IT, Cybersecurity and Electronic Systems communities demand a new generation of highly-skilled, technical professionals who are competent in all aspects of todays modern work environment as it relates to the Medical, IT, Cybersecurity and Electronic Systems vocational fields.
Peloton College Electronic Systems Technician, Information Technology Support Professional, Medical Billing, and Coding, and Medical Assistant programs consist of fast-track learning courses taught by experienced technical professionals who are committed to providing individual attention to every career college student.
Peloton College gave me the confidence I needed to become a medical assistant in less than a year! The students and staff welcomed me with open arms at a time in my life when things were pretty crazy. Peloton is for everyone no matter where you came from or what youve been through. They truly value your success!
Jayla Mapps, 2018 Valedictorian
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Central And Eastern Europe
In Central and Eastern Europe, a vocational education is represented in forms of vocational technical schools often abbreviated as PTU, technical colleges and technical high school.
- Vocational school
Vocational school or Vocational college is considered a post-secondary education type school, but combines coursework of a high school and stretching for six years. In Ukraine, the term is used mostly for sports schools sometimes interchangeably with the term college. Such college could be a separate entity or a branch of bigger university. Successful graduates receive a specialist degree.
- PTU
PTUs are usually a preparatory vocational education and are equivalent to the general education of the third degree in the former Soviet education, providing a lower level of vocational education . It could be compared to a trade high school. In the 1920-30s, such PTUs were called schools of factory and plant apprenticeship, and later 1940s – vocational schools. Sometime after 1959, the name PTU was established, however, with the reorganization of the Soviet educational system these vocational schools renamed into lyceums. There were several types of PTUs such as middle city PTU and rural PTU.
- Technicum
- Institute
High Retention And Graduation Rates
Online trade schools’ retention and graduation rates can tell you how successful students are.
Retention rate refers to the percentage of students who remain enrolled in a school, usually after their first year. The more students who choose to remain at a trade school, the more likely that the school provides a satisfactory experience.
For example, Bates Technical College had a retention rate of 80% in 2018, while the Community College of Denver had a 51% retention rate that same year.
Graduation rate, in contrast, is the percentage of students who complete a program. A high graduation rate means more students have successfully finished their programs.
Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado had a 21% graduation rate in 2021, whereas East Central College in Missouri reported a 40% graduation rate in 2022.
Many online vocational schools post their retention and graduation rates on their websites.
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Information You Can Trust
For over 30 years, My College Guide has been producing an annual magazine chock full of expert advice to aid you in your college selection process. Getting into college isn’t just about who picks you, it’s also about who YOU pick. We can help walk you through factors ranging from cost of education and the strength of various majors to faculty ratio and accreditation.
Q What Is The Role Of Acte And Why Is It Important For Prospective Students To Know About And Connect With Acte

ACTE is the largest national nonprofit association dedicated to CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, career and guidance counselors, and others connected to the CTE community. Our role is to advance education that will prepare students of all ages for success in their careers, including through advocating for effective federal policy, building public awareness, and sharing best practices and resources with professionals in the field.
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